Impact damage repair decision-making for composite structures: Predicting impact damage on composite aircraft using aluminium data

There is a growth in the use of composites for the new generation of wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. This shift from using aluminium as the primary material is motivated by the benefits of using composites in design, manufacturing and operations. Composites offer the aircraft manufacturer the ability to create more...

Active corrosion protection of aerospace aluminium alloys by lithium-leaching coatings

For decades, scientists and engineers are searching for a safe and environmentally friendly alternative for the toxic chromate corrosion inhibitors in active protective coatings for the protection of aerospace aluminium alloys. In this search many different compounds have been investigated as leachable corrosion inhibitor, but no alternative...

Cr(VI)-free pre-treatments for adhesive bonding of aerospace aluminium alloys

For more than six decades, chromic acid anodizing (CAA) has been the central process in the surface pre-treatment of aluminium for adhesively bonded aircraft structures in Europe. Unfortunately, this electrolyte contains hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a compound known for its toxicity and carcinogenic properties. The approaching ban on the use of...

Microstructural Changes in Brazing Sheet due to Solid-Liquid Interaction

Aluminium brazing sheet is the material of choice to produce automotive heat exchangers. Although in Dutch the official translation of aluminium brazing sheet is “aluminium hardsoldeerplaat” the English name is used in the industry. Aluminium brazing sheet is basically a sandwich material and consists of an aluminium core alloy, typically an...

Microstructure-related quality of conversion coatings on aluminium alloys, Microstructuur-gecorreleerde eigenschappen van conversielagen op aluminium legeringen